Tim LaHaye, the popular Christian author and speaker, died last month at age 90. To the end, he was vital and very engaged in one of his main passions: teaching Bible prophecy.

I met him 20 years ago and he was always the same. A very approachable, kind man. When his improbable success with the Left Behind book series began in the mid-90’s, millions became aware of the particular brand of prophecy LaHaye espoused, namely, the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. In short, this view claims that Jesus Christ will rapture, or “capture away from Earth” a remnant of believers before a time of great trouble falls over the globe.

In recent years, I’ve been intrigued to see the attacks on this view, from within the American Church. Specifically, from within evangelicalism, where LaHaye dominated for decades.

Times have changed.

I find that men like LaHaye and his colleague, Thomas Ice, are reasonable researchers and more than that, good men. Their detractors come close to something like loathing when discussing the prophecy guys.

But I would encourage you to check out the website for the Pre-Trib Research Center, in particular the articles, and see for yourself.

Another legacy of LaHaye’s, lesser known, is his work with creationists. When Henry Morris started the Institute for Creation Research in 1970, his friend LaHaye was there in support. Eventually, they, along with George Hillestad, founded Master Books, which is still the world’s most preeminent publisher of creationist books. LaHaye remained close with Master Books’ publisher, Tim Dudley, and was always interested in the latest offerings from the company.

I have always been interested in the fact that when one believes the creation accounts in Genesis, the person also tends to support prophecy teaching and the historic claims of Israel. Conversely, those who adhere to an “old earth” or theistic evolution stance tend to downplay prophecy and Israel.

Tim LaHaye was in the thick of those wars for 50 years.

Goodbye, sir. Many of us expect to see you again soon.